A new survey to help understand and improve the care and experience for children under the age of 16 in care and treatment for cancer launched in April.
The Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey builds on the work of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, understanding that cancer care pathways and care priorities for children often differ from adults’.
The results from the survey, available in summer 2021, will provide the first national-level insight into the experiences of children with cancer and will inform how the NHS delivers cancer services going forward.
Commissioners, providers and national policymakers will use the results to assess performance both locally and nationally, to help identify priority areas for enhancing children’s cancer services. The aim is to radically improve the outcomes for children and young people affected by cancer.
The survey, which began implementation across England from April 2021, invites children under 16 who received NHS cancer care during 2020 and their parents or carers to participate. They will be able to complete a paper questionnaire or an online version of the survey on any device.
Patient experience is extremely important to the NHS and the need for personalised care and treatment is well recognised. By contributing to the survey, young people and their parents or carers will help the NHS to continue to improve its services and better support children and young people living with and beyond cancer.
For more information on the survey visit www.under16cancerexperiencesurvey.co.uk.
